supernatural
soo-puh-NA-chuh-ruhl
Supernatural (adj) means Beyond what can be explained by the laws of nature, often attributed to spirits, gods, or magic. Example: “The old house was said to have a supernatural presence in the attic.”
adj
1
Beyond what can be explained by the laws of nature, often attributed to spirits, gods, or magic.
"The old house was said to have a supernatural presence in the attic."
"The villagers claimed the strange lights were supernatural."
"She has no interest in ghosts or anything supernatural."
noun
1
Supernatural beings, forces, or events considered together.
"He loves films about the supernatural, especially ghost stories set in old houses."
"Many cultures have stories that blend everyday life with the supernatural."
"The show explores the supernatural through folklore and legend."
How to use supernatural
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOutside the ordinary laws of nature — ghosts, magic, and unexplained phenomena.
Common pairings
supernatural powers
supernatural forces
believe in the supernatural
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Word forms
- Plural
- supernaturals
- Comparative
- more supernatural
- Superlative
- most supernatural
Fill the gap
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The old house was said to have a _____ presence in the attic.
Etymology
From Middle French supernaturel, from Medieval Latin supernaturalis, from super- ("above") + natura ("nature").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for supernatural
rural
mural
plural
neural
natural
cultural
epidural
subdural
guttural
unnatural
inaugural
structural
See all rhymes for supernatural →
Frequently asked questions
What does “supernatural” mean?
The word “supernatural” means beyond what can be explained by the laws of nature, often attributed to spirits, gods, or magic. In plain terms, outside the ordinary laws of nature — ghosts, magic, and unexplained phenomena.
How do you pronounce “supernatural”?
“Supernatural” is pronounced soo-puh-NA-chuh-ruhl (/ˌsu.pəɹˈnæ.tʃə.ɹəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “supernatural” in a sentence?
Here is “supernatural” used in a sentence: “The villagers claimed the strange lights were supernatural.”
What part of speech is “supernatural”?
Depending on how it is used, “supernatural” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “supernatural” come from?
The word “supernatural” comes from Medieval Latin. From Middle French supernaturel, from Medieval Latin supernaturalis, from super- ("above") + natura ("nature").
Is “supernatural” a common word?
“Supernatural” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “supernatural” have?
“Supernatural” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: beyond what can be explained by the laws of nature, often attributed to spirits, gods, or magic.
What is the difference between 'supernatural' and 'paranormal'?
'Supernatural' is the broader term, covering anything beyond the laws of nature, including gods, spirits, and magic. 'Paranormal' is usually narrower, referring to unexplained phenomena treated as if they might be real, such as ghosts, telepathy, or hauntings.
What is the difference between 'supernatural' and 'unnatural'?
'Supernatural' means beyond or above the natural world, often linked to spirits or magic. 'Unnatural' means contrary to what is normal or expected in nature, and can simply describe something artificial, abnormal, or strange without any spiritual meaning.
What is the difference between 'supernatural' and 'preternatural'?
'Supernatural' points to forces outside nature altogether, such as the divine or the magical. 'Preternatural' describes something that seems beyond normal but not necessarily otherworldly, as in 'preternatural calm,' meaning unusually or extraordinarily calm.
What nouns commonly follow 'supernatural'?
'Supernatural' frequently pairs with words like 'powers,' 'being,' 'force,' 'creature,' and 'event.' In each case it marks the thing as belonging to a realm beyond ordinary natural explanation.
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